WTW Qualitative Report for Svay Rieng Cambodia
April through June 2016
Wine To Water is serving communities within the Svay Rieng region of Cambodia with safe drinking water. This is accomplished through the construction of Borehole Water Wells, building Sanitary Latrines, and the distribution of Ceramic Water Filters, and Sanitation & Hygiene education programs.
In the village of Chup Pring, we met a young boy named Samoan and his family. His family was one of Svay Rieng’s well beneficiaries. It was reported that prior to having a safe source for drinking water Samoan would get sick 3 to 4 times a month. Today it is evident from Samoan’s good health and bright smile that having the well for three months had quickly changed things for this family.
Samoan’s father expressed his happiness at the difference the new well is making not just for his family, but for the entire village. If a community member has no access to water, they are welcome to come to the family’s well. “We live close to each other, and we share what we have,” said Samoan’s father in regards to his neighbors. It’s his goal to put in a latrine for his family soon.
Another one of the families that were gifted a well was Dy’s. Dy is an eight year old girl and one of six children. Her father died of an illness nearly a year ago, so she and her siblings now help their mother, a rice paddy farmer, in any way they can.
Dy’s mother explained how the well has helped the family, as Dy pumped water joyfully behind her. Before the well, Dy and her siblings would get sick at least three or four times a month from drinking dirty water. Now, they are a lot more healthy. They are able to drink the well water without fear of weeks of abdominal pain and dysentery. Dy’s mother says it has eased her burden of being a single parent by allowing more opportunity for bathing, washing clothes, cleaning dishes, and more. Dy’s family has been forever changed by this well, and now they have a convenient source of water for the rest of their lives.
Wine To Water funded the purchase of an Atlas Copco Air Compressor. This piece of equipment allows for borehole wells to be drilled at a much greater depth (into the 2nd aquifer) providing a more secure well all year long. This will also allow for drilling in the more rocky areas of Cambodia such as the Banteay Meanchey province. This equipment will be utilized for commercial well drilling as well which will generate revenue to offset the operating budget for the water programs.
18 Borehole Water Wells were drilled in Svay Rieng. These wells are supporting a total of 220 families and a school dormitory with drinking water. A total of 2,144 individuals now have access to safe drinking water.
24 Sanitary Latrines were constructed in multiple villages and 2 schools, providing access to improved sanitation & hygiene. A total of 1,393 individuals were impacted by these latrines. This will greatly reduce the spreading of disease and reduce the risk of water contamination.
Due to team focus and resources dedicated to training and operationalizing the compressor and drill rig, ceramic water filter distribution for this quarter has been delayed and will be supported and processed in the coming months.
Thanks to the support of the Wine To Water community, a total of 3,537 individuals have had their lives transformed through the provision of water and improved sanitation & hygiene. Together, we can work to end the world’s water crisis.
